John Legend to play Frederick Douglass on Season 2 of WGN America's 'Underground'

"Underground" guest star and executive producer John Legend attends a performance at the Kennedy Center called "Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories that Changed America," on September 23, 2016, Washington, DC. Pool photo by Aude GuerrucciUPI | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter John Legend is to guest star on Season 2 of the period drama Underground.

"Legend, who also serves as executive producer on the gripping series, will portray iconic abolitionist, orator and author Frederick Douglass," WGN America said in a press release.

Created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, the show is currently in production in Savannah, Ga. The 10-episode, second season is to debut in early 2017 on the cable network.

Set in the 19th century, the series follows "an unremitting struggle for freedom within a divided America on the brink of civil war, each side vying to enact their own justice."